Photo Karen Graham.
Samuel and Benoit were ready to help customers clean out their cupboards and closets last Friday.
It was a first for Millbrook. Not one but two different firms came to town offering to purchase a wide variety of collectibles at the CMCC.
Last Friday, representatives from International Auction, a family business based in Levis, Quebec, was on hand, offering to purchase a wide variety of collectibles on the spot. Items of interest to the firm includes gold and silver items in any condition, watches, stamps, jewellery, sports and military memorabilia, vintage comic books and video games, and much more. They buy and sell collectibles to customers worldwide with a staff of 30, many of whom spend a lot of time on the road. The following Monday, a competitor followed suit in the same room of the community centre.
The customer experience is similar to those represented on the Antiques Roadhouse television show, only these the company representatives put their money where their mouths are and will offer to buy items of interest immediately, in cash if that’s the seller’s preference. There is no pressure to accept an offer and no charge for the appraisal regardless of whether or not a transaction takes place.
These firms usually spend their efforts scouring for treasure in larger, urban centres, visiting centres around the GTA and places like Peterborough twice a year. This year some of them have decided to test smaller markets where basements, attics and garages may still contain rare and desirable items.
If you missed them last week, International Auction provides appraisal services in person at their office in Quebec, or by mail.
Despite some initial trepidation, most customers are happy with the experience, whether they transact or not. Perhaps, like the Snelgroves from Ennismore, someone will discover that one if the items collecting dust for many years is a rare prize. Last week this couple collected $15,500 from the sale of a vintage Chevrolet oil tin that was hiding in the basement of his shop, confirming the adage that one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. KG
